Rifle Range Locator!

[DocUSMCRetired]

We have recently launched a tool which has proven to be highly successful. You can find that tool here: Rifle Range Locator - Applied Ballistics LLC With its limited time online it already has hundreds of users utilizing it. But we need your help. On the internet you can find hundreds of lists, mostly broken, with range listings. While I am still entering new ranges daily in to the database, I would like to invite the public to help us out. Notify your local ranges to sign up for this tool! Let the range director know that this is a free tool that is seeing regular traffic. In fact*not*15 minutes goes by that*a new users isn't actively on this tool. If you do not see your favorite range on the list, let them know all they need to do is fill out a simple form with information about their facilities, and we will add them.



This is a free, community supported, project! The idea is to bring in new shooters, by allowing them to easily locate range facilities where they can stretch their legs. It costs nothing for the user, or the range facilities to be on this system. We hope to grow the community of new shooters with this tool!

As I type this 5 users are actively using this tool:


In order to get that form, they simply need to go to our contact page: Contact - Applied Ballistics LLC and for the subject pick "Rifle Range Locator". Note they must sign up, members cannot sign up and fill the form out for them. So far we have had over 100 ranges in 10 different countries opt in to this system and we are just waiting for their forms to come back filled out. What makes this system different, is that it has annual verification. So if a range fails to re-up the computer will automatically remove them. This removes ranges that are no longer up and running form the active list, keeping broken listings to a minimum.

Please share this with your local range, so that we can expand this list for user we need the publics help hunting down those small hard to find ranges!

Side Note: If this expands enough, we will re-vamp the list to include 300-700 yard listings and 800+ yard listings at two different search options. So smaller ranges can sign up at this time incase that happens.

 

[bfoosh006]

I like the work... but....Why 800 yards minimum ?

Our local "large" club is max'ed at 600yds.

No offense....but, I think you might not get nearly as many ranges listed with the 800yd min.

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

I like the work... but....Why 800 yards minimum ?

Our local "large" club is max'ed at 600yds.

No offense....but, I think you might not get nearly as many ranges listed with the 800yd min.

Their are literally thousands of ranges in the US that are 300-700 yards. Tens of thousands that are 50-200 yards. I want to make sure this is a tool worth pursuing. This is why ranges under 800 yards are allowed to sign up, as indicated in the wording above in the side note. If we maintain the kind of traffic we have on this tool now (its one of the top 5 google searched hits on our website) then I will look in to taking the time to expand this tool. Right now, it is looking like that will happen, but once things settle down we will know for sure. If we receive little to no traffic on this tool then it will remain at 800 yards and beyond.

It has the possibility to expand so no worries there, it just needs to be worth the time invested in doing so. Right now only 3 active users are using it. Today, only 158 users total have used it.

 

[Llama Bob]

Their are literally thousands of ranges in the US that are 300-700 yards. Tens of thousands that are 50-200 yards. I want to make sure this is a tool worth pursuing.

There are probably 2 orders of magnitude more people looking for shorter publicly accessible ranges as compared to long ones. Long range shooting is a very niche market compared to e.g. hunter sight in.

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

There are probably 2 orders of magnitude more people looking for shorter publicly accessible ranges as compared to long ones. Long range shooting is a very niche market compared to e.g. hunter sight in.

That's what made this map so important. The lack of information about where to go shoot long range. Its much harder to find a viable long range facility than it is a 100 yard range facility. A simple google search can get you to a zero range, they are really easy to find. On that note mid-range facilities (300 - 700 yards) are a bit tougher. So I am currently looking in to handling this in the locator tool, and if the popularity keeps up, I will probably make it happen. That would take a significant amount of time, and effort to complete. Plus this system is entirely voluntary. The ranges themselves must sign up, part of the problem with current layouts is spam, and broken links. We want the ranges themselves to submit the data, so we can ensure its accuracy. This also means that I hand check every link and email they send, as well as attach a link checker, which every 72 hours validates each link. If one is found to be broken, that range is turned off on the map.

So as you can see, doing this with mid-range facilities would be an undertaking. I want to make sure that its something that will be utilized and is wanted by the population before taking on a project of that scale.

 

[taliv]

that could be a nice tool. it would make a better phone app

 

[Orcon]

Why didn't you just call it a Range Finder?

 

[carbine85]

Very nice tool, but I think it would be more helpful you you went 600 yards and up. 600 yards is more then enough fun for lots of us and hard to find.

 

[JO JO]

I looked in my area it missed many local ranges near me due to the 800 yard min,
www.wheretoshoot.org shows many many more in my neck of the woods

 

[JO JO]

http://wheretoshoot.org/index.cfm

 

[Arizona_Mike]

So I emailed one the the board of directors at my range and he noticed the 800 yard language on your web page and replied that we are only 500 yards. If you want 300 yard and over ranges, you should update your web page.

Mike

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

"If" I was to dedicate the massive amount of time to advancing this to include more options. What would you guys like to see?

I do not want to just blast in ranges. This is way to common with other forum entries/maps. Where you end up with broken emails, broken websites, and ranges that may or may not exist anymore. As well as ranges which may or may not exist in the condition they used to list. I have found a couple that no longer offer 1K and are 300 yards only now. So very specifically what would you want to see, that keeps this from turning in to just another rifle range location tool with bad information.

I can potentially add in markers of different colors, with a check box that has "unverified" ranges.

I will not, and am not even going to consider allowing users to enter their own information. I have the ability to do this now, but it will become another mess.

I am really sold on the idea of ranges having to verify their information once a year, or lose their place on the map. This keeps the data clean, and reliable. This is one of the key points of this tool.

I can have the map switch between two modes. 300 - 600. 700+ Or any combination there of.

I will not consider ranges that are less than 300 yards at this time.

 

[JO JO]

With shooting ranges becoming busy and many are members only , I wonder why they would go out of their way to register and keep current with your website , seems to me it would be on you to seek them out and keep it current , the nice ranges near near me
Are well maintained and supervised, they have no reason to register and maintain a status on another website they have their own unless you are talking about ranges not supervised and unknown?

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

With shooting ranges becoming busy and many are members only , I wonder why they would go out of their way to register and keep current with your website , seems to me it would be on you to seek them out and keep it current , the nice ranges near near me
Are well maintained and supervised, they have no reason to register and maintain a status on another website they have their own unless you are talking about ranges not supervised and unknown?

Its a very simple process to maintain your status quo. The computer system sends out an email to you once a year. You simply respond that your still active. Done. It would take no longer than 20 seconds start to finish.

 

[JO JO]

That would work minimum effort on their part just answer an email and done, I would think the easier you make it for the ranges the more would sign up

 

[Varminterror]

Doc, a few thoughts after briefly perusing the site today:

• First, I like the idea of having access to a "long range range" finder, and in fact, I noted a range in Kansas of which I wasn't previously aware. So keep up the good work

• However, I WOULD encourage you to remain open to further growing your market-share opportunity (web hits and advertising potential) by including short and mid-range ranges (could even add pistol ranges). One option to execute upon this method: within the sites mapping function, add an actionable "range-length" selection. Keep your default search focused on "long range ranges," but have a user-selectable sort option which would let you include shorter ranges as well.

• I would highly recommend you stand firm on not allowing users to enter their own information without review. I've been disappointed after driving to different ranges having read their webpage or online reviews which weren't accurate.

• I would also highly recommend you drive your protocol of annual "check-in." As you noted, many range lists online are outdated, status of ranges change, operations oversight changes, etc and the quality or status of the range changes. Again, it sucks driving a few hours to a range and finding out it's either closed or suddenly no longer an 800yrd range but only a 50yrd pistol range (been there!) This annual check in ensures someone is still at the helm for range operations, if nothing else, and ensures the quality of the range. In general, I've found if ranges don't remain to have a responsible range operator at the helm, the quality falls off FAST, so it's their responsibility to remain some level of accountability to certify their information remains current. This would also be a good opportunity for certain ranges to add NEW information as they expand their offerings.

• In enforcing an annual "check-in," your program should have an automated email reminder system to contact the range prior to their expiry date to limit some of the responsibility of the range operator to remember to re-up with you. This should also have a standardized set of questions (basically your details list), and if someone doesn't take the time to fill in at least a majority of required fields, they don't get to update/renew and don't get to be on the list. (I noticed a couple ranges only had addresses and range length, whereas some had great detail for target type, caliber limits, etc etc.) The info-confirmation form should show their former info, but force them to manual enter the confirmation info, so they actually have to type it in, hopefully ensuring data quality/integrity.

• Required information should include CURRENT pictures of the facility as well as standardized questions. I drove to a range once where their site had a very nice firing line, but three years prior, someone threw a few rounds over the berm, landing in a BSA campground a mile away, and the county required them to convert the firing line to a solid wall/berm where shooters fired through concrete culvert tubes to control firing angle. This made spotting by a partner impossible, limited the range to seated only (I'd shot prone there primarily before), and made the shooter position blast terrible, even with muffs and plugs. I had used that range on multiple trips to the area in the past, I'll never go back again after this modification.

• I really like the detail of your standardized form, e.g. target types, position types, and caliber restrictions, etc. Maybe develop a little more info to include items like on-site RSO, covered/uncovered shooting positions, amenities/facilities like on-site restrooms, on-site gunshop info (beverages or ammo), etc. My wife and I go shoot a lot together, if I know a range is unstaffed and has no amenities, I know to haul gatorade and to stop at a gas station before we get there for my wife to "go" before we go. If the firing position isn't covered and there's no pro-shop on site, I may not go at all in the middle of a summer day, but with a pro shop and uncovered, I might just take an umbrella.

 

[bfoosh006]

That's what made this map so important. The lack of information about where to go shoot long range.Its much harder to find a viable long range facility than it is a 100 yard range facility. A simple google search can get you to a zero range, they are really easy to find. On that note mid-range facilities (300 - 700 yards) are a bit tougher. So I am currently looking in to handling this in the locator tool, and if the popularity keeps up, I will probably make it happen. That would take a significant amount of time, and effort to complete. Plus this system is entirely voluntary. The ranges themselves must sign up, part of the problem with current layouts is spam, and broken links. We want the ranges themselves to submit the data, so we can ensure its accuracy. This also means that I hand check every link and email they send, as well as attach a link checker, which every 72 hours validates each link. If one is found to be broken, that range is turned off on the map.

So as you can see, doing this with mid-range facilities would be an undertaking. I want to make sure that its something that will be utilized and is wanted by the population before taking on a project of that scale.

Now I get it !! Well done. I just checked my local area and found a club with a 1000 yd range... I didn't even know it existed !!

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

Doc, a few thoughts after briefly perusing the site today:

• First, I like the idea of having access to a "long range range" finder, and in fact, I noted a range in Kansas of which I wasn't previously aware. So keep up the good work

• However, I WOULD encourage you to remain open to further growing your market-share opportunity (web hits and advertising potential) by including short and mid-range ranges (could even add pistol ranges). One option to execute upon this method: within the sites mapping function, add an actionable "range-length" selection. Keep your default search focused on "long range ranges," but have a user-selectable sort option which would let you include shorter ranges as well.

• I would highly recommend you stand firm on not allowing users to enter their own information without review. I've been disappointed after driving to different ranges having read their webpage or online reviews which weren't accurate.

• I would also highly recommend you drive your protocol of annual "check-in." As you noted, many range lists online are outdated, status of ranges change, operations oversight changes, etc and the quality or status of the range changes. Again, it sucks driving a few hours to a range and finding out it's either closed or suddenly no longer an 800yrd range but only a 50yrd pistol range (been there!) This annual check in ensures someone is still at the helm for range operations, if nothing else, and ensures the quality of the range. In general, I've found if ranges don't remain to have a responsible range operator at the helm, the quality falls off FAST, so it's their responsibility to remain some level of accountability to certify their information remains current. This would also be a good opportunity for certain ranges to add NEW information as they expand their offerings.

• In enforcing an annual "check-in," your program should have an automated email reminder system to contact the range prior to their expiry date to limit some of the responsibility of the range operator to remember to re-up with you. This should also have a standardized set of questions (basically your details list), and if someone doesn't take the time to fill in at least a majority of required fields, they don't get to update/renew and don't get to be on the list. (I noticed a couple ranges only had addresses and range length, whereas some had great detail for target type, caliber limits, etc etc.) The info-confirmation form should show their former info, but force them to manual enter the confirmation info, so they actually have to type it in, hopefully ensuring data quality/integrity.

• Required information should include CURRENT pictures of the facility as well as standardized questions. I drove to a range once where their site had a very nice firing line, but three years prior, someone threw a few rounds over the berm, landing in a BSA campground a mile away, and the county required them to convert the firing line to a solid wall/berm where shooters fired through concrete culvert tubes to control firing angle. This made spotting by a partner impossible, limited the range to seated only (I'd shot prone there primarily before), and made the shooter position blast terrible, even with muffs and plugs. I had used that range on multiple trips to the area in the past, I'll never go back again after this modification.

• I really like the detail of your standardized form, e.g. target types, position types, and caliber restrictions, etc. Maybe develop a little more info to include items like on-site RSO, covered/uncovered shooting positions, amenities/facilities like on-site restrooms, on-site gunshop info (beverages or ammo), etc. My wife and I go shoot a lot together, if I know a range is unstaffed and has no amenities, I know to haul gatorade and to stop at a gas station before we get there for my wife to "go" before we go. If the firing position isn't covered and there's no pro-shop on site, I may not go at all in the middle of a summer day, but with a pro shop and uncovered, I might just take an umbrella.

Glad to hear the multiple success stories already!

This issue with range quality, or range information was part of what drove this creation. Really the lack of quality information. When I was first starting out, I had to weed through lists that had things like, bass pro shop, with an indoor archery range, to find shooting ranges. Because of this, I knew we could do better.

I will look in to adding amenities to the list. The ranges with little information, are there because I have shot there and I am waiting on the ROs to fill out the paperwork. The detailed ranges, are actually ranges that have completed my form. All those questions are on it. I will look in to adding in things like showers, rest rooms on site, and even camping space. I probably should add archery, and tactical lanes at one point too.

 

[Fishbed77]

This range locator only serves to depress me as it lists no ranges within 100 miles of my location.

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

So I emailed one the the board of directors at my range and he noticed the 800 yard language on your web page and replied that we are only 500 yards. If you want 300 yard and over ranges, you should update your web page.

Mike

You are going to see this page updated shortly. We are going to go forward with an expansion to include the option to choose 300-700 yards. 700+. Or "All". So let him know to go ahead and sign up. You should see the change to the webpage signaling this soon.

 

[CapnMac]

If possible, see if you can fit in ammunition restrictions.
Virtually every range in the DFW area forbids FMJ on their rifle lines. This is not a nive thing to find out at check in (or, if you have a few K of FMJ sitting around).

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

If possible, see if you can fit in ammunition restrictions.
Virtually every range in the DFW area forbids FMJ on their rifle lines. This is not a nive thing to find out at check in (or, if you have a few K of FMJ sitting around).

I will add that to the data.

 

[Llama Bob]

If you want this to be useful, you need to find a way to add ranges that have no interest in signing up and frankly don't know or care who you are. There are 2 1000y ranges near me, neither is on your list. Basically, a useless tool right now.

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

If you want this to be useful, you need to find a way to add ranges that have no interest in signing up and frankly don't know or care who you are. There are 2 1000y ranges near me, neither is on your list. Basically, a useless tool right now.

That would defeat the purpose. I polled a large number of shooters, and the overwhelming response was they do not want non-certified ranges. I even had in the poll to see if shooters would be interested in having a check box to add or remove them. It was pretty clear they did not. The tool is already useful, and we will expand on it. However the overwhelming response was to not add ranges that did not want to verify the validity of their capabilities.

 

[RX-79G]

Why wouldn't the actual range distance simply be a category on your site, rather than a condition for participation? If someone is looking for 800+ yards, that should just be a filter they click on.